Anderson and Team Far Apart in Talks

The biceps tendinitis near Garret Anderson’s right shoulder is not the only obstacle standing between the Angel outfielder and a contract extension.

If the Angels are to lock up their most productive hitter beyond 2004, they will have to close a $4-million-a-year gap that is believed to be separating the sides, who have suspended negotiations while Anderson recovers from an injury that has sidelined him all spring.

Anderson, who is signed for $6.2 million this season, and the Angels have agreed on the length of an extension -- four years -- but, according to a baseball source, the club has not budged from its four-year, $40-million offer made over the winter.

Anderson, the team’s most valuable player the last three seasons, is believed to be seeking a deal averaging closer to $14 million a year, which is what the Angels gave free agent Vladimir Guerrero in a five-year, $70-million contract this winter.

Chris Arnold, Anderson’s agent, declined comment Friday, but he’d said over the winter that he preferred a deal be consummated before the season began so it did not become a distraction for Anderson. Angel owner Arte Moreno has said signing Anderson to a contract extension is the team’s “top priority” this spring.

Anderson took batting practice for the second consecutive day Friday and was hoping to play in an exhibition against the Oakland Athletics, but Manager Mike Scioscia held him out.

Anderson “will be in the lineup in the next day or two,” Scioscia said, adding that Anderson probably would play center field. Scioscia had hinted earlier this spring that he might keep Anderson in left to reduce wear and tear on his shoulder.

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The Angels, concerned about Bengie Molina’s sore hamstrings and impressed by Josh Paul’s defensive play, are leaning toward carrying three catchers to start the season, even though they would prefer to keep two.

Jose Molina appears to have locked up the backup spot behind his brother, but because the Angels would want to pinch-run for both Molinas in the late innings of close games, having a third catcher could be a priority.

That would preclude the team from carrying an extra pitcher or position player, but with the versatility of their bench -- Shane Halter and Chone Figgins can play almost every position, and Jeff DaVanon and designated hitter Tim Salmon provide outfield depth -- the Angels could survive with one fewer position player.

Paul, a former reserve for both the Chicago White Sox and Cubs, is hitting .316 in 10 games this spring and runs well for a catcher, so Scioscia could use him as a pinch-runner earlier in a game and save Figgins or DaVanon for later.

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Reliever Brendan Donnelly, still trying to recover from a broken nose suffered when he was hit in the face by a batting-practice fly ball March 9, remained home Friday and will not resume workouts until he is cleared by a physician.

Donnelly, who was scratched from a scheduled exhibition appearance Thursday, has had nosebleeds, and doctors believe it will take several days with no activity for the problem to subside.

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Outfielder Jose Guillen, who missed five games because of a chest injury, hit a three-run homer to right-center field in the sixth inning, and Troy Glaus followed with a prodigious blast to left in the Angels’ 8-5 loss to the A’s Friday. Starter Ramon Ortiz fell behind on too many counts and gave up four runs on six hits, including Eric Chavez’s first-inning homer, in three innings.... Scioscia said Bengie Molina, out since March 5, would return this weekend.... The Angels reassigned pitchers Bobby Jenks, Steve Green and Steve Andrade and catcher Jeff Mathis to minor league camp, leaving 40 players in major league camp.